New $15 million rail test track breaks ground at PuebloPlex

Construction began Wednesday on MxV Rail’s new $15 million, 5.8-mile rail test loop with a groundbreaking ceremony at the sprawling PuebloPlex complex on the former Pueblo Chemical Depot property east of Pueblo. 

MxV Rail, formerly known as Transportation Technology Center Inc., is building the custom test loop to support long-term research needs for the rail industry. The company, which has operated in Pueblo for more than 40 years, is experiencing a rebirth with new testing facilities, labs, headquarters and a new name. 

“Our new name, MxV Rail, is based on the formula for momentum: mass times velocity, evoking our dedication to creating the momentum needed to move our industry forward,” said Kari Gonzales, MxV Rail president. 

Test track construction and related costs at PuebloPlex are expected to total about $15 million. Updated engineering and laboratory facilities will be located at the Pueblo Airport Industrial Park, and nearly $100 million in company assets are being moved to the new sites, said Stephanie Abeyta, MxV Rail manager of corporate communications.

“We achieved a major milestone this week by breaking ground,” Abeyta said. “Moving to a new headquarters and test facilities could be compared to relocating a small city.” 

Chance of a lifetime

The high-speed test loop is scheduled to be complete by September and will support a “vast array of freight and passenger rail programs including the Association of American Railroads M-976 truck testing, performance testing for new rail technologies and qualification testing for rolling stock,” Abeyta said. 

“This new facility is the chance of a lifetime for our team of railroad experts and specialists,” said Shawn Vecellio, associate vice president of operations for MxV Rail.

“We took the best aspects of our old test loops and designed track not only capable of supporting today’s rail industry, but also an ideal test bed for proving tomorrow’s transportation innovations.” 

“Based on feedback from our clients and research partners, we all look forward to putting this track to the test,” Vecellio said.

More:Pueblo's new regional economic growth plan tweaked for future of PuebloPlex

Chieftain reporter Tracy Harmon covers business news. She can be reached by email at tharmon@chieftain.com or via Twitter at twitter.com/tracywumps.